Issue - meetings

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)     That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)     That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking Report for consideration and welcomed any questions from Members.

In response to a request for items to be included on the Forward Work Programme on redundancy payments, head teacher resignations and flexibility of the budget setting process, the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) suggested that Councillor Mackie email her identifying what specific information he required.  The School Balances report which would be presented in September would include information on the level of workforce restructuring in schools.  A clear position statement on teacher redundancies could also be provided at the same time.

In response to a request concerning the mechanisms for supporting schools through the budget challenges, the Chief Officer agreed to provide a report outlining the support that the portfolio provided to schools around finances, human resources and head teacher wellbeing when negotiating these processes.

In response to a question on the potential risk to the Authority if VAT was applied to private school fees,  The Senior Manager (Inclusion and Progression) commented that a review of capacity around specialist provision across the County was currently being carried out.  Information was also being collated on the financial pressures faced in schools around supporting children with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).  It was suggested that a report covering these issues could be presented to the Committee in the Autumn term. 

The Chief Officer confirmed that one of the methods used to meet that need was Out of County provision.  A workshop would be arranged for Members in the Autumn term which would include information on how that provision was managed.

Councillor Parkhurst then referred to the Action Tracking report and asked for an update on when the Emergency Planning arrangements would be circulated to Members.  The Facilitator agreed to chase this and circulate it to Members.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.